How to Find the Right Cat Sitter

Cat sitters can be a great addition to your contact list when booking holidays or short trips away. If, like many cat owners, you’ve decided that your precious moggy would prefer a kind and caring alternative to catteries, then cat sitting might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

But what does a cat sitter do, and how do you go about choosing one? We’ve teamed up with TrustedHousesitters who have clawed out the answers to all your cat sitting questions below.

Cat sitting is where a person will come into your home to take care of your cat(s) while you’re away.

There are two options to consider when deciding on your cat sitter:

• Drop-in sitting service - The cat sitter will feed and attend to your cat at set times of the day.

• In-home sitting service - The cat sitter will stay in your home and provide dedicated, one-on-one care for your cat for the duration of your trip.

Choosing between a drop-in service and an in-home cat sitter service can be a personal choice for anyone. But, while it’s true that our feline friends are famous for being aloof, it’s a common misconception that they don’t enjoy a little fuss and attention (always on their terms, of course!). And that’s exactly what in-home cat sitters provide.

No matter how luxurious a cattery or pet hotel is, it’ll never compare to keeping your cat in their own home. Cats are creatures of habit who can become very stressed when faced with unfamiliar surroundings, such as a cattery, which is why vets around the world recommend in-home cat sitting as the holiday pet care option that cats prefer.

Not to mention, as well as caring for your cat, in-home cat sitters also keep your home safe and secure while you’re away. From preventing potential burglaries to watering the house plants, it’ll be like you never left.

Cat sitters can vary in experience, but how do you go about choosing the right person for you? Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you find a cat sitter that’s suitable for you and your feline friend:

You’ll want to make sure your cat is left in the safe hands of someone trustworthy and experienced while you’re away. For this reason, be sure to ask about their:

• Previous cat care experience.

• Whether they have (or have ever) previously owned cats.

• If possible, check their past references and reviews.

Using a pet sitting website like TrustedHousesitters.com makes this easy, with hundreds of cat sitter profiles to explore. As well as viewing their bios, photos and previous cat sitting experience, you can also read previous reviews from other pet owners, just like you. Best of all, as TrustedHousesitters is a community of pet lovers, you can be sure your cat will be in the safe hands of a fellow kitty cuddler.

When looking for a cat sitter, it’s important that you find someone who suits both your and your pets individual needs.

The main benefit of an in-home cat sitter is that it’s less disruptive for your cat, and keeps them in their regular routines. So, from how much cuddle time your kitty requires to being able to administer your elderly cat’s medication, be clear and open about all your expectations and requirements from the start.

For many of us, our pets are our family. So, just like you wouldn’t book a childminder without meeting them first, it makes sense that you’d want to meet your cat sitter before leaving your feline in their care.

You could arrange to meet your cat sitter via a video chat or face-to-face. Face-to-face will also provide the perfect setting for your cat to meet them in a safe, neutral space and will give you a chance to assess how they interact and connect with your cat.

This meeting is also the perfect time for you to let your cat sitter know all about your cat and home, too. Be sure to give them a home tour and a rundown of your cat's current routine, including their food options (KatKin's fresh cat food is the best for cat health!) along with any important information such as your emergency contact number and the contact details of your local veterinarian practice.

The best and easiest way to find a reliable cat sitter is by using an online platform.

TrustedHousesitters provides an easy way to connect with the perfect cat sitter to keep your cat purring while you’re away. TrustedHousesitters’ pet sitters come verified, referenced and reviewed. All sitters get 24/7 access to a team of experienced veterinary experts while on a sit, and, as they’re a community of pet lovers, you can be sure your kitty will be in safe, loving hands!

Best of all? As a KatKin customer you can get your first year of membership for just a £1 donation to Cats Protection. Then, you’ll get an entire year of unlimited holiday home and pet care (worth £99), from verified and reviewed sitters you can trust. Yes, really!

To access your exclusive offer and start your membership with TrustedHousesitters, simply use the code KATKIN1 here.

Offer valid for TrustedHousesitters Basic owner membership only, excludes Standard and Premium. Valid for one year of membership, new members only. Offer expires 31st October 2021.